Gary Lee Chadwick

January 1, 1972 – December 28, 2025

Gary Lee Chadwick passed away on December 28, 2025, at the age of 53 at his home in Cumberland County.

Gary was born on January 1, 1972, in Oak Ridge, TN to Sherrie and Joey Chadwick.

A proud graduate of Coalfield High School, Class of 1990, Gary was a standout athlete in both baseball and football, notably known for catching the game-winning touchdown in the playoff victory against Webb. He was a member of the Beta Club and graduated with honors. He also shared many carefree, unforgettable moments with his best friend, Scott Melhorn and countless other friends.

After high school, Gary attended Carson Newman University, where he spent his first two years of college and continued his athletic journey as a member of the football team. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health from East Tennessee State University in 1996. Later in life, his ambitions led him to earn a Master’s Degree in Industrial Hygiene from Montana Tech University in 2018.  His dedication to his profession continued as he passed the CIH exam to become a Certified Industrial Hygienist in 2021.

Gary built a respected and meaningful career focused on environmental safety and health, serving in roles across radiation protection, environmental compliance, and industrial hygiene. He worked throughout all three DOE complexes in Oak Ridge, where his knowledge, integrity, and work ethic earned the respect of his colleagues.

On October 3, 2009, Gary married the love of his life and his best friend, Michelle Timm. Together, they built a life filled with tremendous love and countless shared passions such as gardening, canning, road tripping, front porch sitting, and sports, especially football. Gary and Michelle loved traveling to national parks together, and their shared love of the outdoors carried them from a 40-acre farm with horses, to a beautiful property with a beloved goat named George, then to a cherished lake house, and finally to the peaceful cabin that fulfilled both of their dreams.

Gary found joy in the simple pleasures of life, especially time spent outdoors. He loved casting a line and sharing his love of fishing with nieces, nephews, and the children of friends.  He also enjoyed hunting, metal detecting, and puzzles. He cherished golf trips with his friends, always returning with new stories, inside jokes, and memories that meant the world to him. He was also a dedicated sports fan, especially when it came to cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers and the Chicago Bears.

Gary was genuine, endlessly kind, and carried a gentle spirit that touched the lives of everyone around him including friends and colleagues, old and new.  He deeply loved his family and was incredibly proud of his siblings, Jeremy, Ashley, and Andrea, and he took great joy in being an uncle to his beloved nieces and nephews, Layne, Baylee, Bo, Lorelei, Callie, Maddy, and Lily. He will be greatly missed.

Gary was predeceased by his father Joey Chadwick; his grandparents Mitchell and Marjorie Chadwick, and Roy Lee Graham; and his mother-in-law Jackie Timm.

He is survived by his wife Michelle Timm Chadwick; his mother Sherrie Graham Farver (Doug); his grandmother Bobbie Williams (Ronnie); his siblings Jeremy Chadwick (Leeanne), Ashley Bracher, and Andrea Holbert (Josh); his father-in-law Gene Timm; his brother-in-law Rob Timm (Carissa); along with many other family and friends; and his beloved dog Pearl.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 11:00-1:00 at Jackson Funeral Home and Cremation in Oliver Springs. Guests are encouraged to share a special story or cherished memory of Gary during the gathering.

Jackson Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of all arrangements.